Saanich Police Deputy Chief Scott Green (left), Saanich Fire Chief Mike Burgess, CREST General Manager Gordon Horth and CREST Board of Directors Chair Gordie Logan, when CREST announced that emergency services across Vancouver Island would see significant upgrades to their radio communications systems in 2016. The new P25 digital radio communications system should be ready in the early new year. (File photo)

Emergency radio communications upgrades will be ready in the new year

CREST officials say the new P25 communications system will roll out in a few weeks

Greater Victoria first responders, and a newly established board of telecommunications board members, can look forward to better communication as their radio system’s upgrades are unveiled in upcoming weeks.

The Capital Region Emergency Service Telecommunications Incorporated (CREST) is responsible for emergency radio communications for 50 agencies in the Capital Region, including fire, police and ambulance services. Annually, the take over 7.5 million calls through their system.

In 2016 they began a $24.5 million upgrade to the system, called P25. This will transfer to an all-digital platform with more reliable technology, better audio clarity and better coverage.

“2018 was a year of major milestones for CREST and for public safety,” said Gordie Logan, CREST chairman in a statement. “From equipment installations on the new police dispatch centre on southern Vancouver Island to starting the transitioning of 50 public-safety agencies to our next generation (P25) radio system, we continued to work with our partners and contribute to safer communities in the Capital Region.”

The P25 system is scheduled to be unveiled in January 2019. It will be headed by newly elected board members which include: